Improvement in bottoms for chairs



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER D. FLYNT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOTTOMS FOR CHAIRS, &c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 163,760, dated May 25, 1875; application led January 2, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHESTER D. FLYNT, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Bottoms for Chairs, Sofas, Beds, &c., of which the following is a specification:

My invention has for its object to produce a spring-bottom for chairs, sofas, beds, and other articles of furniture; and it consists in combininglongitudinal, transverse, and diagonal ilexible strips with coiled springs, which latter are supported on a suitable base, and surrounded by a frame, said flexible metal strips being connected with the top coils of the springs by wrapping, and their free ends fastened tothe surrounding supporting-frame, the strips being preferably connected with the springs while the same are depressed in such a manner as to brace and support the same in a vertical position, and retain them in a partially-depressed condition, and impart to the same the requisite degree of curvature.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l represents a top or plan view of a spring-bottom for a chair or bed constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates a frame, which may be of any of the usual forms and construction, and of any preferred material. To the under side, or near the bottom, of such frame are connected cross-bars B, which constitute the support or basis for a series of springs, O, which, in the present example, are of conoidal shape, andof such height as to extend some distance above the top edge of the surrounding frame-work when in an unrestrained condition. The springs are held to the frame by inserting their ends in holes formed in the cross-bars B, or they may be connected by clasps or secured in any of the usual modes. The springs being thus secured in the frame, they should be subjected to a downward pressure by means of a suitable clamp until Lthe -top coils of the whole series are in a position calculated to describe together a curve from one to the other of the top edges of the frame. They are then connected together by a series of bands or strips, which extend longitudinally, transversely, and diagonally with respect to each other and to the surrounding supporting-frame.

The longitudinal strips are designated by the letters D, the transverse strips by the letter E, while the diagonal strips are described by the letters F G.

Each of the aforesaid strips are constructed of sheet metal or steel of a flexible character, and each in its path over the top of the springs connects with the top coil thereof by wrapping, and the ends of each strip are then securely fastened, in any preferred manner, to the surrounding supporting-frame. In this manner each strip acts as a stiffener or brace to the springs, over which it passes, and to which it is connected.

By this arrangement of the strips with respect to the springs and the surroundingV supporting-frame, the springs are retained in a vertical position, and maintained in a restrained and depressed condition, so that, when further depressed by the Weight of the person sitting or reclining thereon, they are not liable to jump or rebound to the discomfiture of the person.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that the flexible strip used for securing the springs is preferred, although wire may be used, and whichever is employed it is simply wound round or wrapped upon the upper ring or coil of each spring over which it passes, and the ends of the strip fastened to the surrounding supporting-frame, and all should be accomplished while the springs are under pressure. By the employment of such all tying, as is usual with cords, is dispensed with, and, further, all slipping at the point of union is avoided.

If cords were employed the same would stretch, and the slipping of the cord would soon wear it out, whereas by the employment of the ilexible metal strip the chair or other bottom retains its shape at all times, since slipping and stretching of the strip are prevented.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with the springs C and frame A, of the at longitudinal transverse and diagonal vflexible metal strips D E F G, connected with the top coils of the springs by wrapping, and their ends fastened to the surrounding supporting-frame, substantially as herein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of December, 1874.

C. D. FLYNT.

` Witnesses:

W. HAUFF, GHAs. WAHLERS. 

